The overseers of the upcoming Iranian election have said that they will ban those who are "physically weak" from running, which is a former Iranian president.

"A person who is able to work only a few hours a day can't be approved," Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, spokesman of the Guardian Council said on Monday. The council vets the elections and he spoke to many of Iran's major news agenices.

The recent entry of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani into the race is said to have fuelled this move, as he is 78. His opponents have said he is too old and frail to run the country.

Rafsanjani's previous experience, despite his age, may be an advantage if he is allowed to run - he may steal the votes from the conservative candidates who are loyal Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenini.